Scanning-tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy of single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides

量子材料提供了广泛的技术上有趣和相关的特性，其中很少有到目前为止已经实现和探索用于设备操作。其中一个原因是它们的性质通常是在单晶上研究的，而实际上所有当前的器件技术都是建立在薄膜和异质结构上的。利用分子束外延以薄膜形式生长量子材料为实现其器件应用提供了一条途径，但需要首先研究和了解其薄膜版本的生长协议和特性。本项目将利用低温扫描隧道显微镜在原子尺度上研究量子材料的薄膜。本项目的主要目标是：建立一种适合单层和薄膜样品研究的低温扫描隧道显微镜，研究单层过渡金属二硫化物（TMDCs）和过渡金属氧化物薄膜的性质。研究量子材料薄膜样品的降维、自旋轨道耦合、电荷密度波阶与超导性之间的相互作用。专业培训将通过量子材料博士培训中心的入门课程、圣安德鲁斯大学的研究生授课课程、学术、专业和组织发展中心提供的可转移技能培训、CDTs和外部供应商组织的培训提供。

Quantum materials offer a wide range of technologically interesting and relevant properties, few of which have so far been realized and explored for device operation. One reason for this is that their properties are typically studied on single crystals, whereas practically all current device technology builds on thin films and heterostructures. Growth of quantum materials in thin film form using molecular beam epitaxy provides a path to realize their opportunities for device applications, but require the growth protocols and the properties of their thin film version to be studied and understood first. Within this project, thin films of quantum materials will be investigated at the atomic scale by low temperature scanning tunnelling microscopyKey objective of this project are: The setup of a low temperature scanning tunnelling microscope optimized for the study of monolayer and thin film samples to study the properties of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and films of transition metal oxides. Growth of thin film samples of quantum materials using molecular beam epitaxy To investigate the interplay between reduced dimensionality, spin-orbit coupling, charge density wave orders and superconductivity in thin film samples of quantum materials.Specialist training will be provided via the introductory courses of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Materials, graduate taught courses of the University of St Andrews, and through transferrable skills training offered by the Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development, training organised via the CDTs and via external providers.